A print version of this case study is available to download. [PDF document, 450 KB]
Campbelltown City Council is located eight kilometres northeast of Adelaide and has a population of 48,287. Council is an ICLEI member and joined the Water Campaign™ in 2003.
A residential development directly uphill of Wadmore Park, built in the 1970’s, resulted in increased stormwater flows, weed infestations and erosion problems within the park.
To address these issues Council developed an innovative Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approach incorporating the construction of a detention basin, installation of a stormwater pipe system, construction of a series of bioswales, and rainwater tank rebates for residents who live in the southern-most catchment area near the park.
Council was a successful applicant in the third round of Australian Government Community Water Grants, which enabled it to implement the erosion control project at Wadmore Park. Campbelltown Landcare Group, active caretakers of the area for over ten years, were closely involved in developing the approach.
- Construction of Wadmore pipe
Wadmore Park is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Council’s reserves and is one of the last remaining areas for indigenous plants and biodiversity in metropolitan Adelaide.
The weed infestations and erosion within the park were identified as major concerns in Council’s Wadmore Park Management Plan and Vegetation Management Plan for Wadmore Park.
Erosion and sediment control was also identified as a Council priority in Council’s Integrated Urban Water Cycle Management Plan, the basis of Council’s Water Campaign™ Milestone 3 local action plan.
Council was successful in receiving a grant of $250,000 from the Australian Government Community Water Grants program, providing an imperative for Council to commit funds to the project.
Prior to the grant application being developed, Council resolved to contribute $280,000 and in kind support to the project if the submission to the Australian Government Community Water Grants program was successful.
The application to the Australian Government for a Community Water Grant was strongly supported by the community, with letters of support provided by the Hon. Christopher Pyne, Federal MP, Ms Lindsay Simmons, State MP, St Ignatius College, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board and Council’s Reconciliation Committee.
Other partners involved in the project include the Campbelltown Landcare Group, SA Indigenous Flora and the Our Patch Program. Council also anticipates that several schools, community groups and members of the community will become involved in the planting of the bioswales.
- Sign at Wadmore Park
Project design specifications and consultation commenced well prior to the preparation of the Australian Government Community Water Grant application.
The Campbelltown Landcare Group was closely involved with Council staff in developing the design parameters.
Council staff also liaised with elected members, who showed strong interest in the preservation of Wadmore Park, emphasised by Council’s financial and in-kind support commitment to the project.
Securing Campbelltown Landcare Group’s support was core to the project’s successful implementation. One of the key successes of this project has been the strengthening of Council’s relationship with this group.
Representatives from the Campbelltown Landcare Group were involved in developing the design parameters for the project, ensuring that Council was aware of their concerns and vice versa.
Now the Landcare group is a very active partner, allowing Council to name and profile them in relation to the project, and has direct involvement in supporting planting activities within the bioswale.
Based on negotiations with the elected members and Campbelltown Landcare Group, Council staff designed a project comprised of:
- clearing the site and removing trees, with a focus on non-indigenous plant removal along the eastern edge of Wadmore Park
- constructing the detention basin in the northern-most drainage reserve above Wadmore Park
- installing a stormwater pipe system to divert excess stormwater flows along 600 metres of the park (total length of the park is approx 800m)
- constructing of a series of bioswales planted with indigenous sedges and reeds to collect stormwater discharging into the park from residences adjoining the park. This will be developed along the entire length of the park with each “mini-swale” being created to respect the existing lay of the land, and all draining into the newly installed stormwater pipe system
- providing rainwater tank rebates to residents who live in the southern-most catchment area near the park. This area is the most difficult to address as the topography makes it unfeasible to extend the stormwater pipe there. The rainwater tank rebate is being used as a stormwater flow reduction technique and is offered as a supplement to SA Water’s rebate, provided that tanks are at least 2000 litres and plumbed into at least two water use areas inside the house.
Mayor Simon Brewer officially launched the project on-site during the early construction stages. The launch was attended by a variety of stakeholders including federal and state politicians, Council elected members and representatives of the Campbelltown Landcare Group.
In addition, Council is profiling the project to the wider community through articles in its quarterly newsletter, informative signage at Wadmore Park, letters to residents near Wadmore Park and information on its website.
Community participation and interaction with the project is occurring actively through the planting of bioswales and passively through general information provision.
Community involvement has been woven into the project design for two purposes:
- It is a requirement of the Australian Government Community Water Grant that at least 200 volunteer hours be included.
- Planting days allow the community to interact and develop a sense of ownership and respect for the project. Some education on stormwater issues is likely to be incorporated into the planting days.
Water quality benefits
- Reduced erosion, resulting in reduced sediment loads in Fifth Creek and improved water quality.
Further environmental benefits
- Reduced weed infestation problems.
- Removal of non-native plants along the eastern edge of the park and replacement with indigenous species.
- An upgrade to the eastern fire track to make it more accessible.
- Retaining Wadmore Park as a premier biodiversity area for future generations.
Direct financial investment in the project totals $530,000: $250,000 from the Australian Government Community Water Grant and $280,000 from Council’s budget, plus in-kind support.
While there are unlikely to be direct financial benefits from the project, financial investment for the original design concept was over $700,000 and included design elements which were unacceptable to the Campbelltown Landcare Group.
Council is now carrying out a project that is acceptable in design and has a total cost far less than original projections, making it palatable for Elected Members and the wider community.
This project was in development for approximately two years before an approved design concept was selected. During this time there were a variety of discussions within Council and with consultants, and various designs proposed.
Although the process was quite long the communication at the early development stages has been instrumental to the project’s success, as has been an ongoing communication stream with all stakeholders.
Council made a commitment to work collaboratively with the Campbelltown Landcare Group and has honoured that commitment along the way.
Whenever there were changes to the original plan, such as the necessity to remove additional trees along the pipeline alignment, or a potential need for a slight incursion into the park to allow for vehicle movement or reduced construction impacts further along the pipeline alignment, Council liaised with the Campbelltown Landcare Group, ensuring that their collaboration was successful.
Regular email updates of progress were also distributed to ensure all stakeholders were aware of the project progress.
Further information
Kaarina Sarac
Campbelltown City Council
Manager Environment and Sustainability
Ph: +61 (0)8 8366 9257
Fax: +61 (0)8 8337 3818
Campbelltown City Council website
See the Community Water Grants website for lists of previous grant recipients.
Contact details
For further information about the ICLEI Water Campaign™ in Australia please contact:
ICLEI Oceania
4/267 Collins St
Melbourne Vic 3000
Ph: +61 3 9639 8688
Fax: +61 3 9639 8677
Email: oceania@iclei.org
Website: www.iclei.org/oceania/water
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Kaarina Saric for her assistance in producing this case study.
Photographs supplied Alexandra Pembshaw, ICLEI Oceania.
Quoted population figures are taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Report 3218.0, Regional Population Growth, Australia 2006-07, March 2008.
Call for future case studies
Does your council have an initiative that could be promoted by the Water Campaign™ as a future case study?
We’d like to hear if your council has implemented an innovative water saving initiative or project to improve water quality. Contact your Water Campaign State Manager with details.
© June 2008 ICLEI Oceania
